What is the mightiness John the Baptist proclaims in this Sunday’s Gospel when he says: “One mightier than I is coming after me.” John himself is mighty. He’s able to withstand imprisonment and torture by the ruling class. They inflict these because of his criticism of them. What makes Jesus mightier? Jesus is as…
The name Satan conjures up monstrous images; such as a maleficent horned creature robed in red. If rendered human, still the images are monstrous, conjuring up evil people. The word evil, however, was originally defined as an adversary. It could mean one was in league with the devil but that name too lacks the…
Jesus is more playful than we might think. We see his playfulness in his many parables. He told his parables for serious and enjoyable reflection, not to teach dogma. Dogma is not playful. Jesus’ stories and the metaphors within them enable us to play with them. He offered characters and events to help us…
Pentecost highlights Jesus’ impact on people’s sense of public place. Hierarchs – Roman officials and soldiers, high priests and Pharisees – forcibly controlled the place commoners were allowed to occupy in public life, if any. Hierarchs thus limited people’s ability to effect change. At Pentecost different people came together as one in public space.…
Jesus was always passing on to others who he was and what he knew. It is true in the testimony of his Ascension relayed this Sunday. He was always passing on his welcoming and creative Presence so that people felt such Presence within them. He was always passing on what he knew of the…
How did Thomas and the other disciples get along during this past week? Last week Jesus pulls quite the surprise by appearing to various disciples – except Thomas. Those who saw Jesus must have been experiencing a gamut of feelings; delight, stunned, perplexity, eager, awed, calm, … They shared all that they could of…
Not many people know Jesus kept a diary. Someone showed me an excerpt the other day. Friday: Tough day on the job, been wondering if I’m in the right line of work. Saturday: Feeling under the weather, stayed in. Sunday: Got out and visited with some friends today. They seemed surprised to see me.…
The power described of Jesus of Nazareth in the Gospel is astounding. So astounding it seems unbelievable. It is astounding enough that Jesus heals people’s ailing bodies. How is it to be believed, as today’s Gospel relates, that Jesus brings people forth into life after they have died? Can it be believed from our…
While in a small group as part of a Lenten spirituality program a participant asked, “Who is God for you?” Most people began to answer the question by saying, “I think that God is …” Thinking about God, thinking about the image we have of God, is very different than sharing our experience of…
The risks of giving birth are almost unbelievable. So many things have to go just right in the life of the growing baby and in the life of the mother. In the case of Mary of Nazareth she begins her birthing saga as an unwed mother. Joseph is initially a less than certain partner…